WO2014143222A1

WO2014143222A1 - System for the detection of gamma radiation from a radioactive analyte

Info

Publication number: WO2014143222A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/072255
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joshua G. KNOWLAND; Charles W. Scarantino; Ronald K. LATTANZE
Original assignee: Lucerno Dynamics, Llc
Priority date: 2012-05-30
Filing date: 2013-11-27
Publication date: 2014-09-18
Also published as: CA2941409C; JP6434206B2; DK2967465T3; CA2941409A1; JP2014182121A; EP2967465B1; ES2923858T3; EP2967465A4; US9002438B2; US20130324844A1; EP2967465A1

Abstract

A system for the measurement of radiation emitted from an in-vivo administered radioactive analyte. The system employs a sensor having a scintillation material to convert gamma radiation to visible light, which enables embodiments of the sensor to be ex vivo. A light detector converts the visible light to an electrical signal. This signal is amplified and is processed to measure the captured radiation. Temperature of the sensor may be recorded along with this radiation measurement for temperature compensation of ex vivo embodiments. The sensor enables collection of sufficient data to support separate application to predictive models, background comparisons, or change analysis.

Description

System for the Detection of Gamma Radiation from a Radioactive Analyte

Related Applications

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Patent Application No. 1 /840,925 filed on March 15, 2013, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety.

Statement Regarding Government Support

[0002] None.

Field of Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to measurement and prediction of biological processes, and more particularly to a system and method for using localized radiolabeled tracer temporal uptake to measure and predict biological processes.

Background

[0004] Oncologists are interested in knowing if the prescribed cancer therapy is having the intended effect, but the tools available to them today to assess a tumor's response to treatment are not very helpful. Palpating the tumor is easy and inexpensive, but it is limited to tumors close to the surface, relies on a physician's memory and notes, and primarily measures size, a trailing indicator of therapy effectiveness. Size reduction only occurs after therapy kills tumor cells and the body's natural processes eliminate the dead cells. Imaging tools (CT, MR), x-ray) are precise for tumors both close to the surface and in deep tissue, but again primarily measure size, a trailing indicator.

Molecular imaging (PET/CT scan) measures both leading and trailing indicators (i.e., metabolism or proliferation, and size) of tumors by capturing positrons emitted from injected radioactive tracers. PET/CT scans are routinely used for pre-therapy staging of cancer. Comparisons of the semi-quantitative Standardized Uptake Values (SUVs) derived from baseline and follow-up PET/CT scans are currently the best available indicator for therapy effectiveness. However, due to the high cost of PET/CT scans, payers limit reimbursement to just a pre-therapy staging scan, except for lymphoma patients. So, oncologists today are left with no timely, cost-effective, and fast way to evaluate the therapy they deliver. [0005] Attempts have been made to image the uptake of rad io-labeled tracers using a Positron Em ission Tomograph ic (PBT) mach ine where a smal l portion of the body is imaged repeatedly. This approach is known as Dynam ic PET, and is too slow and costly to be of widespread clin ical adoption.

[0006] I n l ight of the problems associated with cu rrent tumor measurement and pred iction systems, it is an obj ect of the present invent ion to provide an easier, less costly, and more efficient system and method for measuring and pred icting the status and/or changes in biological processes.

Summary

[0007] Disclosed is a system for measuring rad io-labeled tracer uptake into a biological system in an easy, quick and relatively inexpensive manner along with requiring less radiolabeled tracer and i nflicting less d iscomfort on the patient. Physic ians are better able to make treatment decisions i n a cost effective and efficient manner. Although embodiments of the system of the present i nvention descri bed below re late to measuring and predicting changes in a tumor, for exampie, embodiments of the system of the present invention can be used to measure processes in nearly any biological system . For example, the system can be used for non-tumor brain scans, etc,

[0008] Any num ber of embod iments of the present invention provide a hardware and software system which is used to gather real-time measurements of radio-labeled tracer uptake i n a biological process, for exam ple a tumor. Sensors measure the localized uptake of a radio-labeled tracer which is injected into the patient or subject. In an embodiment, for example, sensors can be placed in the following locations: (a) directly over the tumor; (b) on the upper right arm, approximately ! 0cm above the antecubital fossa; (c) on the upper left arm, approximately 10cm above the antecubital fossa; and (d) over another area of interest.

[0009] I n any number of embodiments, measurements taken at the sensors can be performed quickly and repeated often. The system of the present invention reduces the amount of expensive radioactive tracer necessary for accurate measurement readings verse the amount required for other measurement methods and el im inates the necessity of using a large PET scanner or sim ilar piece of equ i pment for follow-up scans (PET/CT scanners may continue to be used to stage d iagnosed cancers and to check the subject for metastasis). Measurements

? made by the present approach reveal the kinetics of the tumor. B iological d ifferences in tumors cause d ifferent amounts of radioactive analyte to be consumed locally as compared to normal tissue. The present invention senses and quantifies this consumption, then processes the data into an easy-to-read graph for the oncologist within m inutes. Comparing graphs over time— baseline versus subsequent scans— shows the changes in tumor parameters. Changes in biological parameters with in the tumor can give the physician insight into whether treatment is working or not.

Additionally, the present invention can use predictive algorithms to pred ict likely changes i n biological parameters based on one measurement scan, which speeds the time requ i red to know the l i kely effectiveness of treatment.

[00 1 0] I n any number of embodiments, the system can comprise: (i) one or more Measurement Sensors; (ii) a Measurement Control Device; (i ii) Computer Software capable of executi ng measurement and pred iction data: and (iv) Database Server Control Software.

[001 1 ] I n one embodiment, a Measurement Sensor can be a device comprising a scinti l lation material; a light detector; and an embedded processor with associated embedded software, memory, logic and other circuitry on a printed circuit board. In an embodimen for examp le, the sensor's electronics are enclosed in a light-proof enclosure and there can be a multi-conductor cable to enable data communications. Mechan ical design of the housing can be used to accurately control the placement of the scinti llation material.

[001 2] In one embod iment, a measurement control device can be, for example, a device comprising a d isplay screen, a keypad and data communications connectors. The control dev ice can further com prise an embedded processor with associated embedded software, memory, a real-time c lock, and other associated logic and circuitry on a printed circuit board. I n an embodiment, there can be multiple data commun ications connectors to enable the attachment of m u ltiple measurement sensors. Another embod iment of the control device also incl udes a data communications connector to enable con nection to a computer.

[001 3] I n any number of embodiments, the special ized computer software used in the system of the present invention is capable of: ( ! ) perform ing diagnostic tests on the measurement control device; (2) transferring measurement data from the measurement control device and saving it to a record fi le; (3) gathering ancillary test data from the user or other sources (radiation dose adm in istered, patient weight, patient blood-glucose readings, PET scan data, etc.) and includ ing it in the data record file; and (4) transferring the data record file to the database server control software.

[001 4] In any number of embodiments, the database server control software can be capable of accepting incoming data record files from the computer software and applying one or more A lgorithms to the data received. Simple algorithms include, but are not limited to smoothing and/or no ise reduction, radioactive decay correction, amplitude correction based on control signals, etc. More complex algorithms can be machine learning algorithms such as

Classi fication Decision Trees, Rule Learning, inductive Logic, Bayesian Networks, etc. Measurement data can be stored in a central database while the Algorithm output can be used to generate reports for the user. These reports can ind icate estimated parameters or even estimated future parameters of a tumor or other biological process.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[001 5] Fig. 1 is an i l lustration of an overv iew of the system.

[00 1 6] Fig. 2 is a schematic of a m easurement sensor of an embodiment of the system . [ 001 7] Fig. 3 is shows an embodiment of a measurement sensor of the system. [001 8] Figs. 4A-4C ill ustrate optional aspects of the system. [00 1 9] Figs. 5A-5C i l lustrate embodiments o f measurement control devices. [0020] Fig. 6 i l lustrates an embod i ment of com puter program code of the system. [002 1 ] Fig. 7 shows an embod iment of a printed circu it board and l ight shield. [0022] Figs. 8Λ- 8B i llustrate an embod iment of a l ight sh ield. 10023 J Fig.9 shows an aspect of embodiments of the system,

[ 0024] Figs. 1 OA- 10B show embodiments of a measurement sensor.

[0025] Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating locations on a subject's body where sensors may be placed.

[0026] Fig. 12 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of components the system.

[0027] Fig.13 is a schematic diagram illustrating aspects of an embodiment of the system.

[0028] Fig. 14 is a schematic of an embodiment of a measurement sensor.

[0029] Fig.15 is a schematic diagram illustrating aspects of an embodiment of a measurement sensor.

[0030] Fig. 16 is a detailed exploded view of an embodiment of a measurement sensor.

[0031] Fig. 17 is a tlow diagram illustrating an embodiment of measurement sensor operation.

[0032] Fig.18 a schematic diagram illustrating aspects of an embodiment of a measurement control device.

[0033] Fig. 19 is a front prospective view of an embodiment of a measurement control device.

[0034] Fig.20 is a front prospective view of an embodiment of a measurement control device with measurement sensors attached,

[0035] Fig.2 l is a How diagram illustrating measurement control device operation in an embodiment. [0036] Fig. 22 is a How diagram i l l ustrati ng com puter software operation in an embodiment.

[0037] Fig. 23 is a flow diagram ill ustrating database controller software operation in an embod iment of the system.

Detai led Description of the Preferred Embodiments

[0038] Disclosed is a system for measuring gamma radiation emitted from an in-vivo admi nistered radioactive analyte. I f repeated measurements are made, these measurements wil l show changes in the measured radiation over time. These repealed measurements can be used to calcu late parameters re lated to the data. The repeated measurements can also be used as inputs to pred ictive algorithms to predict future parameters.

[0039] The system is a hardware and software system which can be used to gather real-time measurements of radio-labeled t racer uptake i n. a biological process, for example a tumor, !t employs a sensor for the detection of gamma radiation emitted by a subject from a systemic adm inistration of a radioactive analyte that generally decays in vivo by positron emission. A sensor for gamma ray detection enables the use of ex vivo or in-vivo devices, while ex-vivo devices can be safer for the subject due to their less intrusive design. Elements and capabi l ities of embodiments of the system are described in more detail below.

[0040] The system 1 0 employs a scintillation material 20 that converts gamma rad iation to visible l ight. A l ight detector 21 then converts the visible light to an electrical signal . This signal is ampl ified and is processed to measure the captured radiation. In ex vivo

embodiments, temperature of the sensor is recorded along with this radiation measurement, and this data may be collected by a measurement controller or control device 12 into a record Fi le 80. Th is record fi le 80, along with others like it from previous measurement sessions, may be used as inputs to calcu late data parameters or as input to predictive models to predict data parameters. Record fi le 80 is intended simply to denote a col lection of data by subject 5, and such other criteria applicable to the circumstances, such as tumor location, cond ition, time of lest, etc.

1

[004 1 ] An embodiment of system 1 0 shown in Fig. 1 is d irected to the detection of gamma rad iation em itted by a subject 5 (not shown) from system ic adm in istration of a radioactive analyte that decays in vivo by positron emission. The system 1 0 may include one or more measurement sensors 1 1 (or device for the detection of radiation), a measurement control device 12, an optional processing station 70, and optional database 75. Communication links 7 may be wired or wireless, depending on the application, and may extend data reporting or other communication to networks or the internet 77.

[00421 With reference to Fig. 2, measurement sensor 1 1 may have a sensor housing 25 (not shown), a scinti l lation material 20, a l ight detector 21 , a temperature sensor 36, a signal ampl ifier 33, a sensor processor 22, a non-transient sensor memory 30, and a sensor power supply 32. Light detector 21 , tem perature sensor 36, signal amplifier 33, sensor processor 22, sensor memory 30, and sensor power supply 32 may be in operable commun ication, whether by wiring, circu it board tracing, etc.

[0043] As shown in the exploded i l lustration of Fig, 3, scinti llation material 20 and light detector 2 1 may be disposed or located within housing 25 for use, depend ing on the appl ication. Sensor housing 25 may be fabricated of metal (e.g., nickel, copper, brass, bronze, steel, alum inum, nickel-silver, beryll ium-copper, etc.) or plastic (PE, PP, PS, PVC, ABS, etc.), Such sensor housing 25 may optionally be light proof, so as to protect sci ntil lation material 20 and l ight detector 21 from am bient or surrounding light. Optionally, sensor housing 25 may define an outer surface and com prises a l ight-proof coating on the outer surface. Sensor housing 25 may also protect such internal components from envi ronmental degradation, such as the exposure of scinti l lation material 20 to elevated humidity. Sensor housing 25 may include or incorporate a shield i ng mask 38 or shield for the radiation of concern, such as the ex vivo detection of gamma radiation . Shielding mask 38 may be fabricated from materials such as iridium, platinum, tungsten, gold, pal ladium, lead, silver, molybdenu m, copper, nicke l, bronze, brass, iron, steel, zinc, titanium, and aluminum.

[0044] I n use, and as shown in Figs. 4A-C, embodiments of sensor housing 25 may incl ude an adhes ive 25 A adapted for the removable attachment of the housing to the skin of the subject 5. Opt iona l ly, system 1 0 may incl ude a measurement sensor carrier 35 adapted to removably engage with the measurement sensor 1 1 . The measurement sensor carrier 35 may define a carrier surface with a portion of which may comprise an adhesive 35A adapted for removab le attachment of the measurement sensor carrier 35 to the skin of a subject 5 (not shown). Optionally, measurement sensor carrier 35 includes or defines one or more al ignment features 35 F that perm it the repeated alignment of the measurement sensor carrier 35 to the subject. For example in the embodiment as shown, measurement sensor carrier 35 defines two features 35F that could be used to a l ign a marker to make a mark or stain dot on the skin of subject 5. For a repeated trial, measurement sensor carrier 35 might be placed in a position so that alignment features 35F might align with the marks on the skin of subject 5, ensuring that measurement sensor 1 1 is in the proper location. Measurement feature 35 F may include a variety of approaches depending on the application, such as pads for temporary tattoo markings, peripheral outl ine ridges, guides permitting the marking of orientation axes, etc.

[0045] Sensor power supply 32, or the other power supplies discussed herein, may be a battery, a hardwire power connection, transformer, or some form or source of power generation. In some embodiments, sensor power supply 32 in particular, may be a m icroelectromechan ical machine adapted to generate electricity from subject 5, possibly emp loying the motion of subject 5, or blood pressure, etc.

[0046] Scinti l lation material 20 may be placed within a gamma radiation flux, with scinti llation material 20 being adapted to receive a level of gamma rad iation from the in vivo rad ioactive analyte and to emit photons representative of or corresponding to the gamma radiation level. Light detector 2 1 may be j uxtaposed, located, or general ly d isposed with respect to the scinti llation materia l 20 so as to be adapted to receive and convert the mu lti pl ied photons into signal data representative of the level of gamma radiation received. I t is contemplated that some applications may incl ude mechan isms or structure for directing l ight from scinti llation material 20 to l ight detector 21 , such as fiber optics, prisms, reflectors, etc. Optional ly, and as shown in Fig. 3, l ight detector 2 1 may have an active area 21 A sensitive or receptive to light as described herein, and the sci ntil lation material 20 may be configured and sized to substantially match the active area, wh ich may improve efficiency and reduce the effect of stray l ight or background signals.

[0047] The scinti llation material 20 may be selected for or adapted to the rad iation detection appl ication . I n some embod iments for gamma radiation, scinti llation material 20 may be selected from a group consisting of bismuth germanate, gadol inium oxyorthosilicate, cerium-doped l utetium oxyorthosilicate, cerium-doped yttrium oxyorthosilicate, sod i um iod ide, thal lium-doped sodium iodide, polyvmyltol uene, and cadmium zinc tel l uride.

[0048] Measurement sensors 1 1 may incl ude a signal ampl ifier 33 that is adapted to ampl ify the signal data, a sensor memory 30 including a measurement sensor identifier 16 (Fig. 6), and at least one sensor output port 27 for communication or output of the am plified signa l data. Depending on the mode of com munication desired, sensor output port 27 may be any of a variety of ports, such as electrical jack, computer communication (e.g., CAT-5), optical, infrared, radio transm itter, etc.

[0049] In reference to the examples in Figs. 5A-C, the system 1 0 may include a control ler or measurement control device 1 2 having a control processor 42., a non- transient control memory 40, a control power supply 52, and a clock 48, all in operable communication, whether by wiring, ci rcuit board tracing, etc. The measurement control device 12 may include a control input port 47 operably engaged with the sensor output port 27 (not shown) and adapted to receive ampl ified signal data from the measurement sensor 1 1 . Operab le engagement may incl ude wired or wireless communication, in any of a variety of communication protocols. For example, control input port 47 may be operably engaged with the sensor output port 27 by cable (e.g., multiconduclor cable 24), or by wireless commun ication. In addition to amplified signal data, it may be desirable to comm unicate other data or information from measurement sensor 1 1 to measurement control device 1 2, such as operating parameters, power storage, equipment status, or other sensor data. Optional ly, measurement control device 12 may include a display 44 and data entry device 45, such as a touch screen, or other input/output structure.

[0050] The control memory 40 may, among other th ings, include control computer program code 56 (Fig. 6) executable by the control processor 42. Control computer program code 56, for example, may include a first module 61 for implementing measurement functions and a second mod u le 62 for data management. For example, the first module 6 1 may be adapted to receive a previously assigned measurement sensor identifier 1 6 (discussed below), the signal data, and a subject identifier and to associate the s ignal data, sensor identi fier, and measurement sensor identifier 16 in a record fi le 80 format. The second modu le 62 may be adapted to receive the signal data of a record fi le 80 from the first module 6 ί and to transm it the compensated signal data to a desired storage. Such storage may be local memory (e.g.. sensor or control), external memory, a remote computer memory, networked memory (wi reless or wired), or memory accessed via the internet.

[005 1 ] The system 1 0 may include a tem erature compensator 50 coupled with the temperature sensor 36, the temperature sensor 36 adapted to measure an ambient temperature within the system 1 0 adapted to commun icate the ambient temperature to the temperature compensator 50. In this way, the temperature compensator 50 may be adapted to generate a temperature correct ion factor based on comparison of the ambient temperature to a reference temperature. As discussed below, components with in measurement sensor 1 1 may be temperature sensitive. The temperature compensator 50 may also be adapted to apply the temperature correction factor to the signal data to produce tem perature compensated signal data. Temperature compensation may not be required for embod iments directed to in vivo sensing.

[0052] Optionally, as shown in Figs. 7-8, embod iments of measurement sensor 1 1 may include an internal disposed l ight shield 28. Such an embodiment may include a printed circuit board assem bly 23 P having a board 23 defining a plane with a first surface 23A and an opposing second surface 23 B . Light shield 28 may be adapted for mounting onto the first surface 23A of the board 23, thereby shielding the sc intil lation material 20 and l ight detector 21 from ambient l ight. The scinti l lation material 20 and light detector 21 may be ensconced in or surrounded by l ight sh ield 28. For example, given that the scinti llation material 20 has a first width parallel with the plane and the l ight detector 2 1 has a second width paral lel with the plane, then l ight shield 28 may define a first cavity 28A with a th ird width equal or greater than the first width such that the first cavity 28A is adapted to receive the scinti llation material 20, and the l ight sh ield 28 may also define a second cavity 28B with a fourth width equal or greater than the second width such that the second cavity 28B is adapted to receive the light detector 2 1 . First and second cavities 28A, 28B may be in communication and in such proximal relation that the light shield 28 optically aligns the scinti llation material 20 to the l ight detector 2 1 when the sc i ntil lation material 20 is received by the first cavity 28A and the l ight detector 2 1 is received by the second cavity 28B. These components may be operably engaged with the printed circu it board assembly 23P when mounted. For purposes herein, the term "width" is intended to connote an effective width that perm its the nesting described, and not any particular required cross sectional shape. I n other words, the term "width" is intended to permit the reception of the components as described, and not to lim it cross section shape of those components beyond then- interrelation.

[0053] Such a l ight shield 28 may be made from materials selected from a group of metals (e.g., copper, brass, bronze, steel, aluminum, nickel-silver, beryllium copper, si lver, gold, nickel), or plastic (e.g., ABS, Acetal, Acryl ic, Fluoroplastic,

Polycarbonate, Nylon, PVC, Polypropylene, Polystyrene, Polyethylene ABS, Aceta!, Acrylic, Fluoroplastic, Polycarbonate, Nylon. PVC, Polypropylene, Polystyrene, Polyethylene). Optional ly, the l ight shield 28 may be made from one material and plated or coated in another, to enhance its abil ity to be soldered or mounted on printed circuit board assembly 23 P.

[0054] If made from metal or metal clad or plated plastic, the l ight shield 28 may be fixed into p lace on printed circuit board assembly 23 as a surface-mount-component using either leaded or lead-free solder, or as a through-hole-component using portions of the light shield 28 that protruded through holes in the circuit board, the holes then filled with solder. If made from plastic, the l ight sh ield 28 may be fixed into place on the printed circuit board assembly 23P as a snap-on part with portions of the shield that protrude through holes in the printed circuit board assembly 23 P that spring into position and resist reversing out of the holes, as a swage-on part with portions of the shield that protrude through such holes and that are then melted or swaged to prevent them from reversing out of the holes.

[0055] Optional ly, light sh ield 28 may have one or more through-holes in it to al low pressure to equal ize during assem bly or to al low for out-gassing durin assembly. Such holes may then be covered, poss ibly with l ight-proof foil tape, after assembly to com plete the l ight-proof nature of the sh ield.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 7, light shield 28 may also enclose a l ight em itter 3 1 (e.g., LED, l ight bulb, laser d iode) such that the light em itter could be used to generate pulses of l ight within the enclosure of the light sh ield 28 to test the light detector 21 . Thus, system 1 0 may include a l ight em itter 31 in operable commun ication with the sensor power supply 22, the light emitter 3 1 d isposed with in first or second cavity 28A, 28B (or other proxi mal cavity), such that the l ight shield 28 is adapted to receive the light em itter 3 1 in a location that is proximal to the l ight detector 21 .

[0057] In some embodiments, the control computer program code 56 further comprises a th ird module 63 adapted to receive stored data of a record fi le from the second module 62. The th ird module 63 may apply such stored data to a predictive model to generate predictive data val ues over a desired period for such record file as a predictive outcome, and to transmit such predicti ve outcome to a desired storage. In other embodiments, the third module 63 may to apply such stored data to calculate changes in the compensated signal data over a desired period, and to transm it such changes to a desired storage. In other embodiments, the th ird module 63 may to apply such stored data 1o ca lcu late changes in the compensated signal data from background data over a desired period, and to transm it such changes to a desired storage. Such background data may be drawn from a second measurement sensor 1 1 , a previously calculated background radiation level, or a separate radiation sensor, depending on the appl ication.

[0058] I n some embod iments, system 1 0 may include a processing station 70 (Figs. 1 & 9). Processing station 70 may be a computer in commun ication with measurement control device 1 2. Em bod iments of processing station 70 may i nclude a station processor, a non-transient station memory, and a station power supply; the station processor, station memory, and station power supply are in operable communication. The processing station 70 may have a station input port operably engaged with the contro l output port and adapted to receive data from the measurement control device 1 2. In some embod iments, the role of measurement control device 12 and station 70 may be merged .

[0059] Sim ilar to measurement control device 12, the processing station 70 may include station com puter program code 76 executable by the station processor, the station computer program code including a third module 63 adapted to receive stored data of a record file from the second module 62, to apply such stored data to a predictive model to generate predictive data val ues over a desired period for such record H ie as a pred ictive outcome. [0060] Optionally, processi ng station 70 may incl ude a docking device 71 for the measurement control device 12. The docki ng device 71 may be in operable communication with the station processor. Docking device 71 could be adapted to receive the measurement control device in the form of a holder, retainer, charger, or cradle. When measurement control dev ice 12 is docked, the docking device 71 may provide an electrical connector that engages with measurement control device 12 for data comm unication and power exchange.

[0061 ] In some embod iments, pred ictive model may be a classification machine learning model. In other embodiments, predictive model may be an unsupervised cluster analysis. Such an unsupervised cluster analysis, or other predictive model, may be adapted to predicting future outcome, predicting an effect of tumor treatment, and pred icting metastasis.

[0062] Some em bodiments may involve multiple measurement sensors 1 1. For example, a system 10 may include a first and second measurement sensor 1 1 , the first measurement sensor 1 1 adapted to the detection of test gamma radiation emitted by a su bject from system ic adm inistration of a radioactive analyte that decays in vivo by positron emission proximate to a test area. The second measurement sensor 1 1 may be adapted to the detection of background gamma radiation emitted by a subject from system ic administration of a radioactive analyte that decays in vivo by positron em ission proximate to a background area. Depending on the application, the control computer program code 56 or station computer code 76 may further include a fourth modu le 64 adapted to receive stored data of a record fi le from the second module 62 including data from the first and second measurement sensors 1 1 and to subtract signal data from the second measurement sensor 1 1 from signal data from the first measurement sensor 1 1 . In other applications, the fourth module 64 may be adapted to receive stored data of a record file from the second module 62 including data from the first and second measurement sensors 1 i , and to subtract signal data from the second measurement sensor 1 I from signal data from the first measurement sensor 1 1 . Such embodiments may perm it the subtraction of background radiation from sensor data.

( 0063] I n some embodiments, the si gnal data may be a plurality of pulses at a pulse frequency over time. The first module 6 1 may be adapted to communicate a sampling frequency instruction to the sensor processor 22, the sampl ing frequency instruction being a function of the pulse frequency of the signal data. In some embodiments, the first module 61 is adapted to comm un icate an increasing sampl i ng frequency instruction upon an increase in pulse frequency.

I I

[0064] An aspect of present approach is a sensor or device for the detection of radiation, the device compris ing a measurement sensor 1 1 with a housing 25, a scintillation material 20, a l ight detector 21 , a light shield 28, a tem perature sensor 36, a signal amplifier 33, a sensor processor 22, a non-transient sensor memory 30, and a sensor power supply 32. Light detector 21 , temperature sensor 36, signal amplifier 33, sensor processor 22, sensor memory 30, and sensor power supply 32 may be in operable commun ication by a printed circuit board assem bly 23P. Printed circu it board assembly 23P may have a board 23 defin ing a plane having a first surface 23A and an opposi ng second surface 23B. Light shield 28 may be adapted for mounting onto the first surface 23 A of the board 23B, thereby shielding the scintillation material 20 and light detector 21 from ambient light. The scinti l lation material 20 and light detector 2 1 may be ensconced in or surrounded by light shield 28. For example, given that the scinti l lation material 20 has a first width paral lel with the plane and the l ight detector 21 has a second width parallel with the plane, then light shield 28 may define a first cavity 28A with a third width equal or greater than the first width such that the first cavity is adapted to receive the scinti llation material 20, and the l ight shield 28 may also define a second cavity 28B wi th a fourth width equal or greater than the second width such that the second cavity 28B is adapted to receive the l ight detector 21 . First and second cavities 28A, 28B may be in communication and in such proximal relation that the light shield 28 optical ly al igns the scinti llation material 20 to the l ight detector 21 when the scintil lation material 20 is rece ived by the first cavity 28A and the l ight detector 21 is received by the second cavity 28B. These components may be operably engaged with the printed circuit board assembly 23P when mounted ,

[0065] The scinti llation material 20 and light detector 2 1 are thus disposed within the l ight sh ie ld 28 with the scintillation material 20 adapted to receive a level of gamma radiation and to emit photons representative of the gam ma radiation level. Light detector 21 is d isposed with respect to the sc intillation material 20 so as to be adapted to receive and convert the multiplied photons into signal delta representative of the level of radiation received.

[0066] As above, the signal amplifier 33 may be adapted to amplify the signal data, the sensor memory 30 including a measui'ement sensor identifier, the measurement sensor 11 having at least one sensor output port 27 for such amplified signal data. Optionally, the light shield 28 may be mounted to the first surface 23A of the board with solder. In some embodiments, light shield 28 is selected from a group consisting of metal:

copper, brass, bronze, steel, aluminum, nickel-silver, beryllium copper, silver, gold, and nickel.

Ill

[0067] An aspect of some embodiments of system 10 for the detection of gamma radiation emitted by a subject is that at least one measurement sensor 11 may have a hermetically sealed sensor housing 25 of biocompatible material, a scintillation material 20, a light detector 21, a signal amplifier 33, a sensor processor 22, a non- transient sensor memory 30, and a sensor power supply 32, as shown in Figs.10A- 10B. Light detector 21, signal amplifier 33, sensor processor 22, sensor memory 30, and sensor power supply 32 may be in operable communication, whether by direct wiring, circuit board tracing, wireless interaction, etc. Optionally, sensor housing 25 biocompatible material may be selected from a group consisting of glass, polyether ether ketone, and ultra-high-molecular-vveight polyethylene appropriate for the application, such as meeting implantable standards for in vivo applications, for example. As a further option, sensor housing 25 may comprise an anchor 25F for securing an in vivo application in a desired location for testing or sensing.

[0068] Similar to as discussed above with reference to Fig.3, light detector 21 may have an active area 21 A and the scintillation material 20 may be configured to substantially match the active area 2IA. The scintillation material 20 and light detector 21 may be disposed within the sensor housing 25 with the scintillation material 20 adapted to receive a level of gamma radiation from the in vivo radioactive analyte and to emit photons representative of the gamma radiation level, the light detector 21 disposed with respect to the scintillation material 20 so as to be adapted to receive and convert the multiplied photons into signal data representative of the level of gamma rad iation received. The signal ampl ifier 33 may be adapted to ampli fy the signal data. The sensor memory 30 may include a measurement sensor identifier 1 6, the measurement sensor 1 1 having at least one wi eless sensor output port 27 for such amplified signal data.

[0069] Such an embod iment of measurement sensor 1 1 may work with an ex vivo measurement contro l device 12 (not shown) having a control processor 42, a non-transient control memory 40, a control power supply 52, and a clock 48. Simi lar to as d iscussed above with reference to F ig. 5 A-C. the control processor 42, control memory 40, control power supply 52, and clock 48 may be in operable commun ication, whether by direct wiring, circuit board traci ng, or otherwise. The measurement control device 12 may have a wireless control input poil 47 operablv engaged with the w ireless sensor output port 27 and adapted to receive ampl ified s ignal data from the measurement sensor 1 1 .

[0070] The control memory 40 may i ncl ude control computer program code or software 56 executable by the control processor 42 (Fig. 6). Such control computer program code or software 56 may include a first module 61 for measurement and a second module 62 for data management. The first module 61 may be adapted to receive the measurement sensor identifier 1 6, the amplified signal data, and a subject identi fier and to associate the signal data, sensor identifier 16, and measurement sensor identifier in a record file 80 format. The second module 62 may be adapted to receive the amplified signal data of a record fi le 80 from the fi rst module 61 and to transm it the ampl ified signal data to a desired storage.

[0071 ] Optionally, the system 1 0 may include an in vivo measurement sensor 1 1 with a sensor housing 25 that is substantial ly tubu lar, which defines a sensor housing outer surface 25S and a sensor housing length 25 L (Fig. 10B). In some such embodiments, the wireless sensor output port 27 may comprise an antenna running substantially along the length 25L of the sensor housing 25, along with supporting transmitters, etc. Substantially along the length si mply means by general orientation or along a substantial portion (e.g., FIG. 1 0A), but it need not extend for the fu ll length or be a straight antenna. It is contemplated, for example, that one embodiment of sensor output port 27 may comprise a coiled antenna oriented along a portion of length 25 L, as shown in Figs. 10B. The anchor 25 F may comprise at least one rai sed ring about a portion of a circumference of the sensor housing 25, which may or may not encircle the full circumference. The at least one raised ring or anchor 25F may disposed on the outer surface 25 S and having a height from the outer surface of about 0.1 - 3.0mm to anchor sensor housing 25 in place. Other embodiments of anchor 25F may i nclude features such as adhesive, raised ridges, bumps, or eyelets, to m inimize movement with respect to a patient or subject 5. Sensor housing 25 may also be provided in other general shapes, such as disks, lozenges, or egg-shapes.

[0072] In such an embod iment, optional ly computer program code or software 56 (Fig. 6) may further comprise a third modu le 63 adapted to receive stored data of a record file 80 from the second module 62, to apply such stored data to a predictive model to generate predictive data values over a desired period for such record file as a predictive outcome, and to transmit such pred ictive outcome to a desired storage. In another option, control computer program code or software 56 may comprise a third module 63 adapted to receive stored data of a record file 80 from the second module 62, to apply such stored data to calculate changes in the amplified signal data over a desired period, and to transmit such changes to a desi red storage. In yet another option, control computer program code or software 56 may comprise a third module 63 that is adapted to receive stored data of a record file 80 from the second module 62, to apply such stored data to calculate changes in the amplified signal data from background radiation data over a desired period, and to transm it such changes to a desired storage.

[0073] In one embodiment, the signal data comprises a plurality of pulses at a pulse frequency over time, and wherein the first module 61 is adapted to communicate a sampl ing frequency instruction to the sensor processor 22, the sampl ing frequency instruction be ing a function of the pu l se frequency of the signal data. The first module 6 1 may be adapted to communicate an increasing sampl ing frequency instruction upon an increase in pulse frequency.

I V

[0074] Processes that cou ld be used in the manufacture of the measurement sensors 1 1■ or other components may include many that are common within the electron ics assembly industry, a long with the following specific processes. For an embodiment of the system 1 0 that i nc l udes a gamma rad iation mask or sh iel d 38, for example, th is mask or sh ield 38 may be glued, molded, swaged, screwed or otherwise mechan ical ly fixed into the measurement sensor housing 25. Then, the mask or shield 38 may be used as a mounting plate for the other measurement sensor ! 1 com ponents, including electrical components and add itional housing components to create a l ightproof sensor housing 25.

[ 0075] In another embodiment, the measurement sensor 1 1 components may be arranged within the measurement sensor housing 25 , and then an epoxy, si licone or other curable flu id cou ld be applied surrounding the components. This method would hold the optical components in al ignment while also surrounding them with a light proof material.

[0076] In another em bodiment of the measurement sensor 1 1 that includes a wireless output port 27 as an antenna, it may be embedded in the structure of the measurement sensor housi ng 25. For example, antenna wi re may be arranged on a mold form, then molding plastic may be applied around the form thus encapsulating the wires. With this method, the antenna wi res cou ld be of numerous designs for the optimization of antenna efficiency.

Add itional ly, th i s method could allow for a ferrite material to be placed within the antenna portion of the housing 25 to further optimize the antenna efficiency.

V

[ 0077] Add itional aspects or optional embodiments are provided below. The present system enables (but does not requ ire) radiation sensitive sensors to be placed ex vivo, such as on a test subject's ski n . These sensors may measure the local ized uptake of a rad io-labeled tracer which is inj ected into the subject 5. In an embodiment as shown in Fig. 1 , measurement sensors 1 1 may be placed in one or more of the fol lowing locations of Fig. 1 1 , for example: (a) directly over the tumor 1 ; (b) on the upper right arm 2, approximately 1 0cm above the antecubital fossa; (c) on the upper left arm 3, approximately 10cm above the antecubital fossa, and (d) over the l iver 4, immed iately below the ribs and directly below the nipple. As shown in Fig. 2, for example, an em bodiment of the system 10 may comprise: (i) one or more measurement sensors 1 1 ; (ii) a measurement control device 1 2; (iii) computer software or computer program code 1 3 capable of executi ng certain functions, such as measurement and generation of pred ictive data. The system 1 0 may also incl ude a desired storage for data, etc., with appropriate databases, database management or server control software 14, etc.

[0078] As shown i n Figs. 1 4 through 1 6, a measurement sensor 1 1 can be, for example, a device comprising a sc inti l lation material 20; a l ight detector 21 ; and a sensor processor 22 with associated non-transient sensor memory 30, logic or sensor software 26, and other circuitry supporting these components in operable communication, optional ly with a printed circu it board 23 P (Fig. 16) . Fig. 1 7, for example, illustrates a flow diagram of operation of an embod iment of an ex vivo measurement sensor 1 1 . In operation, a subject 5 may receive a systemic administration by injection of a rad ioactive substance (also referred to as a tracer). When this rad ioactive substance decays, it releases or emits positrons (also referred to as h igh energy particles). The measurement sensor 1 1 uses a scinti l lation material 20 to receive gamma radiation from positron emission decay and to convert the radiation into photons, such as pulses of l ight, which may then be detected by the l ight detector 2 1 . The sensor processor 22 may enable measurement and collection of the photons, such as the number of light pu lses detected over a given amount of time. For example, a large number of light pu lses detected per unit of time may correspond to a large concentration of radioactive material. As the radioactive material concentration changes, the light pulses detected per unit of ti me changes accordingly. By graphing the light pulses counted versus time of data collection, a v isua l representation of rad ioactive concentration over time may be produced. This graph ind icates how the radioactive concentration is changing.

[0079] Any number of smal l embedded processors are adequate for use in the measurement sensor 1 1 , and sensor processor 22 may include a ded icated

asynchronous counter of suitable size, if need for the application and if an external one is not included in the additional circuitry. The sensor processor 22 may be embedded in the measurement sensor, or an external sensor processor 22 may be provided as appl icable. The sensor processor 22 may be specially configured to satisfy various embodiments of the system ! 0, depending on the requirements of the application. An FPGA or other programmable logic device, for example, may be well suited to this system, possibly i ncorporating a m icroprocessor sub-system within the FPGA design.

[0080] Possible scintil lation materials 20 include, but are not limited to: Bismuth Germanate (BGO); Gadolinium Oxyorihosi licate (GSO); Cerium-doped Lutetium Oxyorthosi licate (LSO); Cerium-doped Luteti um Yttri um Orthosilicate (LYSO); Thall ium-doped Sodium iodide (Nal(T l )): Plastic Scintil lator (Polyvinyltoluene); or Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT). In an embod iment of a measurement sensor 1 1 ,

9 multiple sci nti l lation materials 20 adapted to measure d i fferent rad ioisotopes may be used. In another embod i ment of a measurement sensor 1 1 , scintillation materials 20 that do not requ ire the use of a l ight detector 21 may be used. I n another embod iment of a measurement sensor, mu ltiple scintil lation materials 20, each with their own detection circuitry, may be included to enable a two dimensional array of measurements.

[0081 ] In an embodiment of measurement sensor 1 1 , the light detector 2 1 may include a signal ampl ifier 33 or am plification circuitry to hand le low level signals. In another embodiment, measurement sensor may further include a temperature sensor 36 which is coupled to a temperature compensator 50, the temperature sensor adapted to measure an ambient or local temperature of the scintillation material 20 and light detector 21 , and to comm un icate or report such temperature to temperature compensator 50. Temperature compensator 50 being adapted to generate a temperature correction factor based on comparison of the ambient temperature to a reference temperature. The temperature compensator 50 may apply the correction factor to the signal data to produce temperature com pensated signal data, or may be adapted to reporting the local temperatures of the scinti llation material 20 and l ight detector 21 . Depend ing on the embodiment, in vivo detection may not require tem perature compensation in that the measurement sensor 1 1 might be cali brated for normative subject temperatures.

[0082] I n another embodiment of the system, a measurement sensor 1 1 can be, for example, a device comprising a scinti l lation materia! 20; a light detector 21 and associated signal ampl ifier 33 or amplification circuitry and sensor processor 22 located on a printed circuit board 23P in the sensor portion of the system. Light detector 21 may be selected based on the application, such as a photod iode or photocathode, and signal amplifier 33 (or amplification circu itry, possibly incorporated into circuit board 23 P) may include a photomultipl ier or simply a signal ampl ifier 33. Other associated circuitry may then then moved to the measurement control device 1 2. I n any number of em bodiments, the measurement sensor 1 1 can be provided with m icroelectromechanical machine (MEMS) power generation capabil ity such that a battery or external power source is not necessary. A M EMs generator may be piezoelectric based, adapted to generate electricity from a motion of the subject 5, body heat of the subject 5, or the blood pressure of subject 5. Alternatively, sensor power supply 32 may be a corded power connection to either the control device. In another embodiment, a measurement sensor 1 1 can be a wireless, with an independent power supply 32.

[0083] I n an em bodiment of a measurement sensor 1 1 , for example, the electronics may be enclosed in a light-proof enclosure or housing 25 and there can be a multi- conductor cable 24 for data communications. Mechanical design of the housing 25 can be used to accurately control the placement of the scintillation material 20.

[0084] !n an embodiment of a measurement sensor 1 1 , the sensor may include sensor housing 25 wh ich optionally may incorporate a shielding mask 38 for collimation of the i ncom ing radiation for increased directional sensitivity. The shield ing mask 38 can be made of any number of dense materials including, but not l imited to: lead, steel, iron, aluminum, irid ium, platinum, copper, cement, dense plastic, etc. The shield ing mask 38 can be tai lored to protect against specific radiation depending on the appl ication of the system of the present invention ,

[0085] In an embodiment of a measurement sensor 1 1 , for example, the sensor could further incl ude a removable and/or d isposable protective sleeve or case, also referred to as carrier 35 , This sleeve or carrier 35 can have adhesive (e.g., adhesive 35A) applied in order lo attach the measurement sensor 1 1 to a test subject 5. This sleeve can also be used as a san itary barrier between the measurement sensor 1 1 and a test subject 5. In some embod iments, measurement sensor 1 1 may further include housing 25 which itself has adhesive used to attach the sensor 1 Ho a test subject 5.

[0086] In any number of embodiments, measurement sensor 1 ! and measurement control device 1 2 may include the necessary hardware and software to enable wireless communications between them . In such an embodiment, encryption techniques may be used to provide security for wireless signals.

[0087] In any number of embodiment s of the system of the present invention, an ind ividual measurement sensor can be cal ibrated for radiation sensitivity. This cal i bration can overcome measurement inconsistencies due to manufacturing and physical tolerances in the sensor. Since each measurement sensor 1 ] has unique man ufacturing and physical tolerances and material characteristics, no two sensors wil l natural ly report the same measurement given the same rad iation source input. Therefore, each sensor may be exposed to a known activity radiation source and a correction factor can then be provided for each individual sensor. As a result, each measurement sensor 1 1 used in the system 1 0 may be calibrated with one another with regard to radiation sensitivity.

[0088] In any number of embodiments, an individual measurement sensor 1 1 may be calibrated for temperature sensitivity. Various components of a measurement sensor 1 1 are sensitive to temperature changes and the reported radiation activity due to temperature. It is known thai a scinti l lation crystal or material 20, a l ight detector 2 1 , and, to a lesser degree, ampli fiers used for light detection, for example, may be sensitive to temperature. Therefore, a precision temperature sensor 36 may be placed locally or proximal ly to the temperature sensitive elements. Ambient temperature can then be recorded during the data collection process so that corrections or compensation can be made to signal data or measurement readings in order to compensate for any inaccurac ies in the measurement readings resulting from certain elements' sensitivity to temperature, producing temperature compensated signal data. I n order to determ ine tem perature correction factors, a measurement sensor 1 ] may be subjected to a stable radiation test source whi le the surrounding temperature is swept through the range of the operating temperatures. This may be accompl ished in a laboratory temperature chamber. Through this test process, radiation activity of a known, stable source as we ll as temperature data can be recorded. A cal ibration curve can then be calculated which adj usts the measured radiation activity to a normalized Hat response correspond ing to expected compensated signal data.

[0089] In another embod iment, a measurement sensor 1 1 may provide adaptive performance and measurement capabilities. For example, if the rate of tumor growth accelerates, the sensor can automatical ly respond to the change by increasing sampling frequency.

[0090] In any number of embodiments of the system, a measurement control device 12 can be, for example, a hand-he ld and battery powered device comprising a display screen, a keypad and data com mun ications connectors. In an alternative embod iment of the system of the present invention, the measurement contro l device 1 2 can be a desktop-style powered device. In another embod iment, the measurement control device 12 or other portions of system 1 0 may inc l ude a crad le-style charging dock for the battery operated device. The cradle-style charging dock can charge batteries for a hand-held device and can also initiate the capture of any measurements in the hand-held device's memory. In another embodiment, the measurement control device 12 may provide MEMS power generation capabil ity such that a battery or externa! power source is not necessary.

[00 1 f i n any number of embodiments of the system 10, as shown in Figs. 20 through 2 1 for exam ple, a measurement control device 12 comprises a control processor 42, contro l software 56 (optionally as embedded software), control memory 40, a real-time clock 48, and other associated logic and ci cu itry on a printed circuit board. The control processor 42 may be embedded in the measurement control device Ϊ 2, pi'ov ided as an external processor, or optional ly merged with station 70. The control processor 42 i s general ly specially configured to satisfy embodiments of the system 1 0. The control device can control user-i nterface, data col lection, and data transmission activities. There are various microprocessors capable of this includ ing smal l em bedded processors and single-board computers. Fig. 2 ? is a flow d iagram i llustrating operation of an embodiment of a measurement control device 12. The system 1 0 generally may respond to user input, keep track of sensor attachment or association, monitor operational parameters, such as battery level, and transfer measurement data to a desi red storage, such as an external computer. In an

embodiment of a measurement control device 12, as i llustrated in Fig. 20 for example, there can be multiple data communications connectors to enable the attachment of multiple measurement sensors 1 1 , as wel l as a data commun ication to a variety of desired storage devices or networks.

[0092] In an embod iment of a measurement control device 1 2, the device can further include network connectivity and control hardware and software to incorporate the fu nctional ity of the control computer software 56. This creates a stand-alone system at the test site which eliminates the need for a separate computer or computer software. Encryption and decryption methods known in the art can be provided in any number of embodiments to secure wireless communications.

[0093] An embod iment of a measurement control device 1 2 may further include a bar code scanner for recording pertinent identification numbers, cal ibration codes, etc. when printed on bar codes. An embodiment of a measurement control device 1 2 can further include a pulse-oxygen, skin resistivity, or other biological sensor in order to i ncorporate add itional data into the measurements col lected . Another embodiment of a measurement control device 1 2 can further i nclude a d igital camera system for incorporating photos into the data record fi le. These photos could be used for sensor placement details, for example. One embod iment of a measurement control device 1 2 can further include functional ity which com m un icates to the user specific detai ls pertinent to the test or test subject being worked with. This commun ication can include, but is not limited to, nonstandard placement locations for the measurement sensors 1 1 , reminders of tumor size and location, general notes, test related photos, etc.

[0094] in an embod iment of a measurement control device 1 2, for example, a power switch can control power to al l components of the device, except possibly a real-time clock 48. The clock 48 may have consistent back-up power to avoid losing the programmed date and time. When the power switch is in the "ON" configuration, power may be applied to the device com ponents, and a m icroprocessor can start operation and test opcrabi!ity. The

m icroprocessor of control processor 42 may further test external peripherals such as the display 44, the real-time clock 48, etc. As the tests are performed, a display screen of the measurement control device 1 2 may d isplay, for example, a waiting message. Next, at least one measurement sensor 1 1 may be attached to the control device 12 via a connector and a cable, such as multiconductor cable 24. Upon attachment of a measurement sensor 1 1 , the control device 1 2 recogn izes the attachment and performs duties described below to start up the measurement sensor 1 1 .

[0095] In an embod iment of a measurement sensor 1 1 , for example, power may be suppl ied to the sensor via the measurement control device 12. For example, a multi-conductor cable 24 with a connector on the end or a plug that fits into a mating jack can be used to connect the measurement sensor 1 1 to the control device 12. Power can be suppl ied to the measurement sensors ! 1 over this cable from the measurement control device 12. The sensors can be connected to the measurement control device 12 before data collection and remain connected throughout data col lection. I n another embodiment, the measurement sensor 1 1 may include its own sensor power source 32 and non-transient sensor memory 30 to store recorded data such that no cable m ight be necessary and the sensor does not need to remai n connected to the measurement control device 1 2 during operation. In order to retrieve the recorded data, wireless communications may be enabled and/or a cable may be connected to the measurement control device 1 2 at a desired time. [0096] After power is turned on to the sensor 1 ! , as shown in Figs. 1 7 and 21 for example, the sensor processor 22 may start operation and lest itself. If the self-test verifies that the measurement sensor 1 1 is operational, the sensor can alert the measurement control device 12 that the measurement sensor 1 1 is operational and ready to receive an address which is an address that the control device 12 will use to communicate with the identified measurement sensor 1 1 . The measurement control device 1 2 can next send the measurement sensor 1 1 a unique address or identifier 36 assignment (i.e., unique being sufficiently individualized for the application to avoid confusion). After receiving the unique identifier 16 assignment, the measurement sensor 1 1 can accept the unique address and listen to a communications bus for commands specific to the individual sensor. A measurement control device 12 may send any of the following commands to any of its connected sensors: ( 1 ) connection check using the sensor^'s unique address; (2) Sensor LED on/off; (3) Set sensor PWM output; (4) Read/Write sensor EEPROM; (5) Measure Temperatures; and/or (6) Measure Radiation pulses for a set time period (for example, one second). Other commands not specifical ly listed can be sent by the measurement control device 12. After the measurement control device 12 sends a command to the measurement sensor 1 1 , the sensor performs the commanded action and replies with a result if necessary,

[0097] In any number of embodiments of the system, when one or more measurement sensors 1 1 are attached to a measurement control device 12 and the sensors are operational, the measurement control device 1 2 can indicate, through a message on the d isplay screen, for example, that the device is ready to begin data collection. When a user begins data col lection, the measurement control device 12 first downloads each sensor's individual calibration data and stores the calibration data into control memory 40 or other desired memory or storage. The control device 12 can then request for a measurement of temperature and radiation pulses, for example, from each attached measurement sensor 1 1 . All received readings can be stored, along with a time stamp, in the control memory40. When the control memory 40 might be full or if the user stops the data collection, the measurement control device 12 may simply stop accepting read ings from the measurement sensors 1 1 . A user may download the saved data col lected from the control memory 40 to a computer or other desired storage. [0098] In any number of em bodiments, computer program code used in the system may be capable of: ( 1 ) perform ing diagnostic tests on the measurement control device 1 2; (2) transferring measurement data from the measurement control device and saving it to a record file: (3) gatheri ng ancillary test data from the user or other sources (radiation dose admin istered, test subject weight, PET scan data, etc.) and including it in the data record file; and (4) transferri ng the data record H ie to the database server control software. In any number of embodiments, database server control software can accept incoming data record fi les from the computer software and apply one or more algorithms to the data received. Measurement data may be stored in an optional central database 75 while the algorithm output can be used to generate reports for the user. These reports can indicate estimated parameters or even estimated future parameters of a tumor.

[0099] I n an embodi ment of the system, for example, a user may attach a measurement control device 1 2 to a computer and run computer software to transfer measurement data stored on the measurement control device 12 to the computer. The computer software or program code comm unicates with the control device 1 2 to determ ine what type and how much data is avai lable for downloading. The computer software can ask the user for pertinent test-related information such as radiation dose administered, identification or number of test subject 5, placement locations of the sensors, tumor location and type, etc. Once measurement data has been transferred from the measurement control device 1 2 to the computer, a data record fi le can be bui lt. Once complete, the data record file can be transferred to a database server and predictive model or algorithm system.

[01 00] I n any number of embod iments, pre-processing operations may be performed on a test subject data set. Session measurements for al l channels can be normalized with respect to i njected radiation dose, for examp le. The dose is recorded duri ng the test and is used to adjust measurements on a scalar basis. A session is one specific data recording event which includes sensor p lacement on the subject 5 , injection of radioactive material, and collection, recordation and transfer of recorded data. Measurements from each session can be aligned so that the rising edge on a "tri gger ' channel - right or left arm - is at time zero. The term "trigger" channel is used to mean a sensor that is sure to see a large amount of radioactive material so that it is ensured to have a dramatic and easi ly recognizable increase in the measurement. Having a rapidly changin "step" l ike this al lows for time-al ignment of data sets recorded at d ifferent times or "sessions." Any data which is before a predeterm ined time or after the predetermined time (for example, data before time - 1 20 seconds or after time 3600 seconds) can be removed from the measurement data, !n addition, session

measurements for al l channels can be normalized with respect to temperature sensitivity. Individual sensor's temperature correction coefficients can be retrieved and used to correct the radiation pulse count measurements.

[01 01 ] In any number of embodiments of the system, session measurements for all channels can also be adjusted to account for the natural decay of the rad ioisotope used, for example. The rad ioisotope natural ly decays in the test subject and th is adds a decreasing function to the measurement data. Accounting for this natural decay and removing any data attributed to the natural decay can portray the data as the amount of radiation encountered without the decay function included.

[0 1 02] ! n any number of embodiments of the system 1 0, measurements may be al igned with respect to the control channel(s). Control channels are stable and repetitive, therefore al igning al l channels wi l l make d ifferences in the non-control channels visible.

[01 03] In one embodiment of the system 10, a database server and predictive model may be provided . A hardware server which runs software to incorporate incoming data record files from the computer software and to save th is incom ing data to a database file along with data previously saved ; and database server control software. Figs. 14 and 1 5, for example, il lustrate flow diagrams of operation of an embodiment of the computer software and the database server control software respectively. The database server and pred ictive algorithm system or model can apply one or more a lgorithms to this saved database in order to estimate parameters specific to the tumor under test or a group of tumors. Additional ly, the database server control software can apply one or more models or algorithms in order to predict future parameters of the tu mor or a group of tumors. The database server control software can also use the output of the algorithms to generate report fi les for the user which present the estimated and/or predicted parameters.

[01 04] I n an alternative embod iment of the system 10, a database server and predictive model compri ses a dynam ic website with server software running beh ind it, which al lows for a mu ltiple-user system for analysis and reporting. In another embod iment, the database server and pred ictive model or algorithm system further includes functional ity which transfers the algorithm output and report back to the com puter software for analysis and interpretation by the user. In one embodiment, the database server and predictive model further includes functional ity which can provide real-time commun ication and updates about sensor data; noti fication parameters (e.g., situations with tumor development); and/or alert conditions.

[01 05] I n an alternative embodiment of the system 1 0, database server control software keeps a database of all measurement data that has been submitted previously. Any new data record files that are submitted can be added to the database. The user can include other data records such as, but not l imited to, results from other tests (PET Scan, CT Scan, etc.), information about a particular subject (height, weight, etc.), or general notes, for example. The user can use the database server control software to generate graphs of measured data, to calculate various functions of the measured data and then graph those functions if necessary; and/or to apply prediction algorithms to the data. The pred iction model may be capable of, although not l imited to: ( ! ) predicting the future outcome of tumor treatments; (2) predicting which tumor treatments have the best chance of success; (3) predicting the likel ihood that metastatic disease is present in the subject; and/or (4) other. The database server control software can generate reports for the user of measured data and/or predictions based on the data. These reports include, but are not lim ited to, graphs, predictions with confidence levels, etc.

[0 1 06] In any n umber of embodiments of the system of the present invention, the class of algorithms used is of the classification structure in machine learn ing. These algorithms use a trai n ing set of data to build a model of the data. Then, when new unknown data sets are introduced, the algorithms can determ ine where in the model the new data should fit. This approach al lows for the system of the present invention to inspect a submitted data set and determ ine whether and how closely it has seen examples like the subm itted data set in the past. If there have been sim ilar exam ples in the past, the system can predict the outcome of the current data set based on the outcomes of the past data. For example, if there are various past examples that closely match the new data submitted, the algorithm can determine which treatments in the past led to the most favorable outcome. Physicians may then select treatments with the best outcome, I n another embodiment, the algorithms can provide adaptive performance and measurement capabi l ities. For example, if the rate of tumor growth accelerates, the system can automatical ly respond to the change by increasing samp l i ng frequency. [0 1 07] In an embod i ment of the system 1 0, the ways in wh ich new data submitted is matched to previously seen data or determined not to match any of the previous data are based on multiple mathematical or quantitative functions that can be applied to measurement data. For example, area under the curve, polynomial curve fit to a portion or all of the data, the ratio of two data measurement channels, etc., are al l ways in which data sets can be matched.

[01 08] It wil l be apparent to one skil led in the art thai a computer system that includes suitable programming means or modules for operating in accordance with the disclosed methods also fal ls wel l w ithin the scope of the present invention. A specially configured computer system includ i ng suitable programm ing means to satisfy the objects described above can be provided. Suitable programm ing means include any means for directing a computer system to execute the steps of the system and method of the invention, including for example, systems comprised of processi ng units and arithmetic-logic circuits coupled to computer memory, wh ich system s have the capability of storing in computer memory, which computer memory incl udes electronic circuits configured to store data and program instructions, with programmed steps of the method of the invention for execution by a processi ng un it. Aspects of the present invention may be embodied in a computer program product, such as a non-transient recording medium, for use with any suitable data processing system . The present system can further run on a variety of platforms, including any of a variety of software operating systems. Appropriate hardware, software and programming for carrying out computer instructions between the different elements and components of the present invention are provided.

[ 0 1 09] The invention may be embod ied i n other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in al l respects as il lustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being ind icated by the claims of the appl ication rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein .

Claims

CLAI M S

WHAT IS CLAI M ED IS:

I . A system for the ex vivo detection of gamma radiation em itted by a subject from system ic adm inistration of a radioactive analyte that decays in vivo by positron emission, the system comprising: at least one ex vivo measurement sensor having a sensor housing, a scintil lation material, a light detector, a temperature sensor, a signal amplifier, a sensor processor, a non-transient sensor memory, and a sensor power supply, the l ight detector, temperature sensor, signal ampl ifier, sensor processor, sensor memory, and sensor power supply in operable communication, the sci nti l lation material and l ight detector disposed within the sensor housing with the scintillation material adapted to receive a level of gamma radiation from the in vivo radioactive analyte and to emit photons representative of the gamma radiation leve l, the light detector disposed with respect to the scintillation material so as to be adapted to receive and convert the multipl ied photons into signal data representative of the level of gamma rad iation received, the signal ampl ifier adapted to ampl ify the signal data, the sensor memory including a measurement sensor identifier, the measurement sensor having at least one sensor output port for such amplified signal data; a measurement control device having a control processor, a non-transient control memory, a control power supply, and a clock, the control processor, control memory, control power supply, and clock in operable commun ication. the measurement control device having a control input port operably engaged with the sensor output port and adapted to receive amplified signal data from the measurement sensor; wherein the control memory includes control computer program code executable by the control processor, the control computer program code including a first module for measurement, a second module for data management; wherein the first module is adapted to receive the measurement sensor identifier, the signal data, and a subject identifier and to associate the signal data, sensor identifier, and measurement sensor identifier in a record file format; a temperature compensator coupled with the temperature sensor, the temperature sensor adapted to measure an ambient tem erat re with the system adapted to communicate the ambient temperature to the temperature compensator, such that the temperatu e compensator is adapted to generate a temperature correction factor based on comparison of the ambient temperature to a reference temperature, the temperature compensator further adapted to apply the temperature correction factor to the signal data to produce temperature compensated signal data; and wherein the second module is adapted to receive the signal data of a record file from the first module and to transmit the compensated signal data to a desired storage.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor housing is substantially light proof.

3. The system of claim I , wherein the sensor housing further comprises an adhesive adapted for removable attachment of the housing to the subject's skin.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises a measurement sensor carriei" adapted to removably engage with the measurement sensor, the measurement sensor carrier defining a carrier surface, and a portion of the carrier surface comprises an adhesive adapted for removable attachment of the measurement sensor carrier to the subject's skin.

5. The system of clai m 4, wherein the measurement sensor carrier defines at least one alignment feature for the removable alignment of the measurement sensor with respect to the subject.

6. The system of clai m 1 , wherein the sensor housing further comprises a shielding mask for gamma radiation.

7 The system of claim 6, wherein the shielding mask is selected from a group consisting of irid ium, platinum, tungsten, gold, palladium, lead, silver, molybdenum, copper, nickel, bronze, brass, iron, steel, zinc, titanium, and aluminum.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the measurement sensor further comprises: a l ight shie ld; a printed circuit board assembly having a board defining a plane having a first surface and an opposing second surface, the l ight shield adapted for mounting onto the first surface of the board and shielding the scinti llation material and light detector from ambient l ight; wherei n the scinti llation material has fi rst width parallel with the plane and the light detector has a second width parallel with the plane; the l ight sh ield defines a first cavity with a third width equal or greater than the first width such that the first cavity is adapted to recei ve the scintil lation materia! and the l ight shield defi nes a second cavity with a fourth width equal or greater than the second width such that the second cavity is adapted to receive the light detector; and wherein the fi rst and second cavities are in commun ication and in such proximal relation that the l ight shield optical ly aligns the scinti llation material to the light detector when the scintil lation material is received by the first cavity and the l ight detector is received by the second cavity, and operably engaged with the printed circuit board assembly.

9. The system of claim 8. further comprising a light emitter in operable communication with the sensor power supply, wherein the light shield is adapted to receive the light emitter proximal to the light detector.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the measurement control device further comprises a display and data entry device.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the control computer program code further comprises a third module adapted to receive stored data of a record file from the second module, to apply such stored data to a predictive mode! to generate predictive data values over a desired period for such record file as a predictive outcome, and to transmit such predictive outcome to a desired storage.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the control computer program code further comprises a third module adapted to receive stored data of a record file from the second module, to apply such stored data to calculate changes in the compensated signal data over a desired period, and to transmit such changes to a desired storage.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the control computer program code further comprises a third module adapted to receive stored data of a record file from the second module, to apply such stored data to calculate changes in the compensated signal data from background radiation data over a desired period, and to transmit such changes to a desired storage.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the scintillation material is selected from a group consisting of bismuth germanate, gadolinium oxyorthosilicate, cerium-doped lutetium oxyorthosilicate, cerium-doped yttrium oxyorthosilicate, sodium iodide, thallium-doped sodium iodide, polyviny!toksene, and cadmium zinc telluride.

15. The system of claim 2, wherein the housing defines an outer surface and comprises a light-proof coating on the outer surface.

16. The system of claim 1, further comprising (i) a processing station i n communication w ith the measurement control device, the station having a station processor, a non-transient station memory, a station power supp ly, the station processor, station memory, station power supply in operable commun ication, the processing station having a station input port operably engaged with the controi output port and adapted to receive data from the measurement control device;

(i i i) wherein the station memory i ncludes station computer program code executable by the station processor, the station computer program code including a third modu le adapted to receive stored data of a record fi le from the second module, to apply such stored data to a predictive model to generate predictive data values over a desired period for such record file as a pred ictive outcome.

1 7. The system, of claim ! 6, wherein the predictive mode! is a classification machine learning model.

1 8. The system of claim 16, wherein the predictive model is an unsupervised cluster analysis.

1 9. The system of claim 1 8, wherei n the predictive model is an unsupervised cluster analysis adapted to predicting future outcome, predicting an effect of tumor treatment, and predicting metastasis.

20. The system of claim 1 6, wherein the processing station further comprises a docking device in operable communication with the station processor, the docking device adapted to receive the measurement controi device, the docking device having an electrical connector that engages with measurement control device for data communication and power exchange.

2 1 . The system of claim 1 , wherei n the sensor power supply is a microelectromechanical machine adapted to generate electricity.

22. The system of c laim 1 , wherein the control input port is operably engaged with the sensor output port by cable.

23. The system of cla im 1 , wherein the control input port is operably engaged with the sensor output port by wireless communication.

24. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one ex vivo measurement sensor comprises a first and second measurement sensor, the first measurement sensor adapted to the ex vivo detection of test gamma radiation emitted by a subject from systemic administration of a radioactive analyte that decays in vivo by positron emission proximate to a test area, the second measurement sensor adapted to the ex vivo detection of background gamma radiation emitted by a subject from systemic administration of a radioactive analyte that decays in vivo by positron emission proximate to a background area; wherein the control computer program code further comprises a fourth module adapted to receive stored data of a record file from the second module including data from the first and second measurement sensors and to subtract signal data from the second measurement sensor from signal data from the First measurement sensor. he system of claim 1 6, wherein the at feast one ex vivo measurement sensor comprises a first and second measurement sensor, the first measurement sensor adapted to the ex vivo detection of test gamma radiation emitted by a subject from systemic administration of a radioactive analyte that decays in vivo by positron emission proximate to a test area, the second measurement sensor adapted to the ex vivo detection of background gamma radiation em itted by a subject from systemic administration of a radioactive analyte that decays in vivo by positron emission proximate to a background area; wherein the station computer program code includes a fourth module adapted to receive stored data of a record file from the second module including data from the first and second measurement sensors, and to subtract signal data from the second measurement sensor from signal data from the first measurement sensor.

26. The system of claim 1 . wherein the signal data comprises a piural ity of pulses at a pulse frequency over time, and wherein the fi rst module is adapted to communicate a sampl ing frequency instruction to the sensor processor, the sampl ing frequency instruction being a function of the pulse frequency of the signal data.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the first modu!e is adapted to communicate an increasing sampling frequency instruction upon an increase in pulse frequency.

28. A device for the detection of radiation, the device comprising: a measurement sensor having a housing, a scintillation material, a light detector, a light shield, a temperature sensor, a signal amplifier, a sensor processor, a non-transient sensor memory, and a sensor power supply, the l ight detector, signal ampl ifier, sensor processor, sensor memory, and sensor power supply in operable communication by a printed circu it board assembly, the printed circuit board assem bly having a board defin ing a plane having a first surface and an opposing second surface, the l ight sh ield adapted for mounting onto the first surface of the board and sh ielding the scintillation material and l ight detector from ambient light; wherei n the scinti llation material has fi rst width parallel with the plane and the light detector has a second width parallel with the plane; the light shield defines a first cavity with a third width equal or greater than the first width such that the first cavity is adapted to receive the scintil lation material and the l ight shield defines a second cavity w ith a fourth width equal or greater than the second width such that the second cavity is adapted to rece ive the l ight detector; and the scinti llation material and light detector disposed within the light shield with the sci nti l lation material adapted to receive a level of gamma radiation and to emit photons representative of the gamma radiation level, the l ight detector disposed with respect to the scinti l lation materia l so as to be adapted to receive and convert the mu ltipl ied photons into si gnal data representative of the level of rad iation recei ved, wherein the lirst and second cavities are in communication and in such proximal relation that the light shield optical ly al igns the scintil lation material to the light detector when the scinti l lation material is received by the first cavity and the l ight detector is received by the second cavity, and operably engaged with the printed circuit board assembly; and the signal ampl ifier adapted to amp l ify the signa l data, the sensor memory includ ing a measurement sensor identifier, the measurement sensor having at least one sensor output port for such ampl ified signal data.

29. The device of claim 28, wherein the light shield is mounted to the first surface of the board with solder; and wherei n the light shield is selected from a group consisting of metal : copper, brass, bronze, steel, aluminum, n ickel-si lver, beryl lium copper, si lver, gold, and nickel.

30. A system for the detection of gamma rad iation emitted by a subject from system ic adm in istration of a rad ioactive analyte that decays by positron emission, the system comprisi ng: at least one measurement sensor having a hermetically sealed sensor housing of b iocompatible material, a scintillation material, a l ight detector, a signal amplifier, a sensor processor, a non-transient sensor memory, and a sensor power supply, the l ight detector, signal ampl ifier, sensor processor, sensor memory, and sensor power supply in operable communication, the light detector having an active area and the scintil lation material is configured to substantially match the active area, the scinti llation material and l ight detector disposed within the sensor housing with the scinti llation material adapted to receive a level of gamma radiation from the in vivo radioactive analyte and to em it photons representative of the gamma radiation level, the l ight detector disposed with respect to the scintil lation material so as to be adapted to receive and convert the mu ltipl ied photons into signal data representative of the level of gamma radiation received, the signal amplifier adapted to ampl ify the signal data, the sensor memory i cluding a measurement sensor identifier, the measurement sensor having at least one wireless sensor output port for such ampl ified signal data; an ex vivo measurement control device having a control processor, a non-transient control memory, a control power supply, and a clock, the control processor, control memory, control power supply, and clock in operable communication, the mea surement control device having a wireless control input port operably engaged with the wireless sensor output port and adapted to receive amplified signal data from the measurement sensor; wherein the control memory includes control computer program code executable by the control processor, the control com puter program code including a first module for measurement, a second module for data management; wherein the first module is adapted to receive the measurement sensor identifier, the ampl ified signal data, and a subject identifier and to associate the signal data, sensor identifier, and measurement sensor identifier in a record file format; and wherein the second modu le is adapted to receive the amplified signal data of a record file from the first module and to transmit the amplified signal data to a desired storage,

3 1 . The system of claim 30, wherein the biocompatible material is selected from a group consisting of glass, polyether ether ketone, and u Stra-high-mo!ecular-weight polyethylene.

32. The system of claim 30, wherein the sensor housing defines an outer surface and the sensor housing further comprises an anchor disposed on the sensor housing outer surface.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the sensor housing is substantial ly tubular and defines a sensor housing length; the wireless sensor output port comprises an antenna running substantially along the length of the sensor housing; and the anchor comprises at least one raised ring about a portion of a circumference of the sensor housing, the at least one raised ring d isposed on the outer surface and having a height from the outer surface of about 0. 1 mm to 3mm.

34. The system of claim 30, wherein the control computer program code further comprises a third module adapted to receive stored data of a record file from the second module, to apply such stored data to a predictive model to generate predictive data values over a desired period for such record fi le as a predictive outcome, and to transmit such predictive outcome to a desired storage.

35. The system of claim 30, wherein the control computer program code further comprises a third module adapted to receive stored data of a record fi le from the second module, to apply such stored data to calculate changes in the amplified signal data over a desired period, and to transm it such changes to a desired storage.

36. The system of claim 30, wherein the control computer program code further comprises a thi rd modu le adapted to receive stored data of a record file from the second module, to apply such stored data to calcu late changes in the ampl ified signal data from background radiation data over a desired period, and to transmit such changes to a desired storage.

37. The system of clai m 30, wherein the signal data com prises a plural ity of pulses at a pu lse frequency over time, and wherei n the first modu le is adapted to communicate a sampl ing frequency instruction to the sensor processor, the sampling frequency i nstruction being a function of the pu lse frequency of the signal data.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the first modu le is adapted to communicate an increasing sampl ing frequency instruction upon an increase in pulse frequency.